Australian middle-order batsman Joel Brockley, 23, will be Wellington Cricket Club’s overseas player this season.

Joel comes from Wollongong, New South Wales and plays at Sutherland CC where his club captain is former Australian Test opening bat Phil Jaques and colleagues include current Australian international players Steve Smith and Nic Maddinson.

Increasing the 1st XI’s middle order batting capability was one aim that new club and 1st XI Captain Alex Sparks focused on when he was appointed last December in succession to Paul Short who had done the job for six years.

Currently Joel is taking the required steps to be ready for a season’s cricket in the UK while completing his season in Australia where he is ending 2013-2014 in the First Grade side at Sutherland.

Wellington begin their West of England Premier League (Somerset Division) campaign at Staplegrove on Saturday, May 3.